Kwame Osei-Sarfo, Ph.D. (also known as Dr. KOS) currently is a medical writer at Technical Resources Incorporated. In this position, Dr. Osei-Sarfo writes and updates regulatory and other medical documents including Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), Development Safety Update Reports (DSURs), study protocols, informed consent forms, and Investigator’s Brochures in support of early-phase clinical trials for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Osei-Sarfo received a B.S. in biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences with a concentration in molecular oncology and immunology from New York University.
Prior to this role, Dr. Osei-Sarfo was a biomedical scientist who studied multiple subfields of oncology and immunology at New York University School of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Innovimmune Biotherapeutics. As a senior scientist of immuno-oncology at Innovimmune Biotherapeutics, he managed one of its drug discovery programs by developing novel biological strategies and readouts that focused on blocking macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression in colon cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. At Weill Cornell Medical College, his postdoctoral research categorized potential biomarkers of oral cancer induced by alcohol and tobacco abuse; investigated the role of canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling in stem cell biology; and furthered the understanding signaling patterns of forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors modified by retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists in oral cancers. Dr. Osei-Sarfo’s graduate work sought to understand the role of Ras and Ral GTPase signaling in the initiation and progression of leukemia and lymphoma.
In addition to his scientific roles, Dr. Osei-Sarfo was the the Director for the Bridge to the Ph.D. Program in STEM (“Bridge Program”) at Columbia University (Link: ***). This two-year post-baccalaureate program aims to increase the number of individuals from underrepresented groups in graduate STEM programs by providing scientific research, academic, and mentoring experiences. In this position, Dr. Osei-Sarfo worked with countless stakeholders, faculty members, and departments inside and outside of Columbia University to develop strategic plans to meet the aims outlined by the Bridge Program. In addition to directing the Bridge Program, he was involved in assisting with recruiting efforts directed at diversifying the student body for Columbia Engineering’s graduate programs. Also, Dr. Osei-Sarfo worked as an adjunct assistant professor of biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at New York City School of Technology and the Department of Sciences at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
In addition to his academic and professional background, Dr. Osei-Sarfo has volunteered with multiple organizations that promote interest in STEM fields for “nontraditional” high school and undergraduate students. Some of these activities include initiatives supported by the Leadership Alliance, the Sophie Davis Pipeline Program, Successful and Productive Academic Research Careers (SPARC), the New York City Science and Engineering Fair (NYCSEF). Although access to STEM education is a high priority, Dr. Osei-Sarfo has served to increase the URM participation in higher education by serving as a mentor with iMentor, the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN), and the Ali Forney Center.
When Dr. Osei-Sarfo is not writing about clinical trials or reading up on the latest discoveries in cancer research, he can be found training for (or thinking about) his next half- and full-marathon, discovering new parts of the DC metro area, enjoying live music & comedy venues, and trying out different cuisines (so far, Peruvian is his favorite).